‘Izmir’s support for environmental projects
Izmir University of Economics (IUE) has become a member of the Impact Investing Advisory Board’s Impact Investing Platform which carries out activities with the aim of ensuring that not only financial gain but also environmental and social benefits are based on investments to be realized in Turkey. IUE, which is also involved in the work team formed by the gathering of many institutions and organizations from different sectors within the platform, will play an active role in the development of projects that will set an example for Turkey.
IUE will contribute to the studies to be carried out on many issues such as the analysis of the environmental impacts of investments throughout our country, raising awareness about ‘impact investment’ and guiding institutions in this field. Prof. Dr. Hakan Yetkiner, Member of Faculty of Business, Department of Economics, will lead the coordination of the whole process on behalf of Izmir University of Economics.
CONTRIBUTION TO BOTH OUR COUNTRY AND SOCIETY
IUE Rector Prof. Dr. Murat Aşkar said that they are the first university in the Aegean Region to join the platform. Emphasizing that as a university that prioritizes the environment and social benefit, they have added a new one to the steps they have taken in this direction, Prof. Dr. Aşkar said, “Many factors that affect our lives, such as climate change and the Covid-19 pandemic, have shown that investments should not be built on evaluations that only measure financial returns. Now, every investment in our country needs to be considered in terms of environmental and social benefits. It is our duty to do this for a healthy world and a healthy future. The Impact Investing Advisory Board Platform was formed at this very point, with the collaboration of many institutions and organizations across Turkey. As a university, we are happy and proud to be involved in such an important formation and to contribute to studies that will create value for both our country and our society.”
ALSO NECESSARY FOR INTERNATIONAL FUND
Prof. Dr. Hakan Yetkiner, IUE Department of Economics, on the other hand, stated that companies have to meet some environmental and social requirements to receive international funding support for their investments. Prof. Dr. Yetkiner said, “Impact investing is an investment approach that prioritizes creating positive social and environmental impacts as well as making monetary profits. The establishment of the Impact Investing Advisory Board Platform was one of the steps taken towards institutionalization in our country in this regard. The advisory board, of which IUE is a member, will not only produce concrete and permanent projects, but will also conduct investment-based reviews. For example, the social and environmental benefits of an investment to be made in the field of energy in Izmir will be measured, or what needs to be done to achieve this in the project will be explained. Since companies have to take social and environmental steps to benefit from international funds, we will mentor and guide them in this regard.”